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Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for use in a
vehicle, comprising determining a distance of a predetermined gesture
from a reference location within a vehicle, and initiating an operation
responsive to the gesture, wherein a mode of the operation is determined
based upon the distance of the gesture from the reference location.

1. A method comprising: determining a distance of a predetermined gesture
from a reference location within a vehicle; initiating an operation in
dependence on the gesture, wherein a mode of the operation is determined
based upon the distance of the gesture from the reference location,
wherein a first mode is a user controlled mode of operation and a second
mode is an automatic mode of operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation is initiated in the first
mode in dependence on the distance of the gesture being less than a
predetermined distance and in the second mode in dependence on the
gesture being greater than the predetermined distance; or wherein the
operation is initiated in the first mode in dependence on the distance of
the gesture being greater than a predetermined distance and in the second
mode in dependence on the gesture being less than the predetermined
distance.

3-5. (canceled)

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the first mode, the operation is
caused to stop in dependence on a stopping of the gesture.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation is in dependence on a
direction of the gesture, optionally in the second mode, the operation is
performed to a maximum extent corresponding to the direction of the
gesture.

8-9. (canceled)

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the second mode, the operation
continues regardless of a stopping of the gesture.

11-12. (canceled)

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference location is a reference
plane within the vehicle, optionally wherein the reference location
corresponds to a surface within the vehicle.

14-15. (canceled)

16. The method of claim 1, comprising determining whether the gesture is
performed at a distance less than or equal to an operational threshold
distance from the reference location, and ignoring the gesture if
performed at a distance greater than the operational threshold distance.

17. An apparatus comprising: a sensing device configured to determine a
distance of a predetermined gesture from a reference location within a
vehicle; a control unit configured to initiate an operation in dependence
on the gesture, wherein a mode of the operation is determined based upon
the distance of the gesture from the reference location, wherein a first
mode is a user-controlled manual mode of operation and a second mode is
an automatic mode of operation.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control unit is configured to
initiate the operation in the first mode in dependence on the distance of
the gesture being less than a predetermined distance and in the second
mode in dependence on the gesture being greater than the predetermined
distance; or wherein the control unit is configured to initiate the
operation in the first mode in dependence on the distance of the gesture
being greater than a predetermined distance and in the second mode in
dependence on the gesture being less than the predetermined distance.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, in the first mode, the operation
is performed proportional to a characteristic of the gesture, optionally
wherein the characteristic is a length of the gesture.

20-21. (canceled)

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein, in the first mode, the control
unit is configured to stop the operation in dependence on a stopping of
the gesture.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control unit is configured to
initiate the operation in dependence on a direction of the gesture,
optionally wherein in the second mode, the control unit is configured to
initiate the operation to be performed to a maximum extent corresponding
to the direction of the gesture.

24-25. (canceled)

26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein, in the second mode, the control
unit is configured to continue the operation regardless of a stopping of
the gesture.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the operation is movement of a
component of the vehicle, optionally wherein the component is one of a
sunroof, a foldable roof, a window, a seat, a sunblind, privacy blinds or
an air vent of the vehicle.

28. (canceled)

29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reference location is a
reference plane within the vehicle, optionally wherein the reference
location corresponds to a surface within the vehicle.

30. (canceled)

31. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the operation is movement of a
component of the vehicle, and wherein the reference location is proximal
to the component of the vehicle.

32. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the sensing device comprises a
plurality of sensing devices each configured to output a signal
indicative of a proximity of a limb of a person, optionally wherein the
control unit is configured to receive the signal from each of the sensing
devices and to determine the distance of the gesture based thereon.

33. (canceled)

34. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the sensing device comprises one
or more imaging devices, optionally wherein the control unit is
configured to receive image data from the one or more imaging devices and
to determine the distance of the gesture based thereon.

35. (canceled)

36. A vehicle comprising the apparatus of claim 17.

37. (canceled)

38. An apparatus comprising: a sensing device configured to determine a
distance of a predetermined gesture from a reference location within a
vehicle; and a control unit configured to initiate an operation in
dependence on the gesture, wherein a mode of the operation is determined
based upon the distance of the gesture from the reference location.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for use in a vehicle and
an apparatus for use with a vehicle for controlling an operation. In
particular, although not exclusively, embodiments of the invention relate
to a method and apparatus for controlling movement of a component of the
vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known to provide numerous components of a vehicle which are
operable responsive to a user command. Such components include, without
limitation, a roof of a vehicle, a portion of a roof of the vehicle, a
sunroof, windows of the vehicle, air vents, a boot or tailgate of the
vehicle etc. Often such components are moved by an actuator which may be
electrically operated, such as a motor, or hydraulically operated. The
actuator is operable responsive to user operation of a corresponding
switch. The switch may have a range of movement encompassing two stages.
A first stage corresponding to limited or part actuation of the switch
causes the actuator to move only for as long as the switch is actuated.
In this so-called manual mode of operation the user is able to move the
component a limited distance, for example to partly open a roof, sunroof
or window of the vehicle. A second stage, which may correspond to full
operation of the switch, causes the actuator to move the component to a
maximum extent of the components movement, such as fully open or closed.
In this way the user can selectively operate the switch to cause a
desired amount of movement of the component.

[0003] It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least
mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a method for use in a vehicle, comprising determining a distance of a
gesture and initiating an operation having a mode responsive to the
distance.

[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method for use in a vehicle, comprising determining a distance of a
predetermined gesture from a reference location within a vehicle and
initiating an operation responsive to the gesture, wherein a mode of the
operation is determined based upon the distance of the gesture from the
reference location.

[0006] The operation may be initiated in a first mode responsive to the
distance of the gesture being less than a predetermined distance and in a
second mode responsive to the gesture being greater than the
predetermined distance.

[0007] In the first mode, the operation may be proportional to a
characteristic of the gesture. The characteristic may be a length of the
gesture.

[0008] The first mode may be a user-controlled mode of operation. The
operation may be caused to stop responsive to a stopping of the gesture.

[0009] The operation may be responsive to a direction of the gesture. The
operation may be initiated or performed responsive to a direction of the
gesture.

[0010] The second mode may be where an operation is performed to a maximum
extent corresponding to the direction of the gesture. As such this may be
where the second mode is an automatic mode of operation. The operation
may continue regardless of a stopping of the gesture.

[0011] The method may relate to an operation wherein the operation is
movement of a component of the vehicle. This may be one of a sunroof, a
foldable roof, a window, a seat or an air vent of the vehicle.

[0012] The method may relate to a reference location wherein the reference
location is a reference plane within the vehicle. Optionally, the
reference location may correspond to a surface within the vehicle. The
reference location may be proximal to the component of the vehicle.

[0013] The method may comprise determining whether the gesture is
performed at a distance less than or equal to an operational threshold
distance from the reference location, and discarding the gesture if the
performed at a distance greater than the operational threshold distance.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided
an apparatus for controlling an operation comprising a sensing means for
determining a distance of a predetermined gesture from a reference
location within a vehicle and a control means for initiating an operation
responsive to the gesture, wherein a mode of the operation may be
determined based upon the distance of the gesture from the reference
location.

[0015] The control means may be arranged to initiate the operation in a
first mode responsive to the distance of the gesture being less than a
predetermined distance and in a second mode responsive to the gesture
being greater than the predetermined distance.

[0016] In the first mode, the operation may be performed proportional to a
characteristic of the gesture. The characteristic may be a length of the
gesture. The first mode may be a user-controlled mode of operation. In
the first mode, the control means may be arranged to stop the operation
responsive to a stopping of the gesture. The control means may be
arranged to initiate the operation responsive to a direction of the
gesture.

[0017] The apparatus may comprise a second mode, wherein the control means
is arranged to initiate the operation to be performed to a maximum extent
corresponding to the direction of the gesture. The second mode may be an
automatic mode of operation. The control means may be arranged to
continue the operation regardless of a stopping of the gesture.

[0018] The operation may be movement of a component of the vehicle. The
component may be one of a sunroof, a foldable roof, a window, a seat or
an air vent of the vehicle.

[0019] The apparatus may comprise a reference location which is a
reference plane within the vehicle. The reference location may correspond
to a surface within the vehicle. The reference location may be proximal
to the component of the vehicle.

[0020] The apparatus may comprise a sensing means comprising a plurality
of sensing devices each arranged to output a signal indicative of a
proximity of a limb of a person. The control means may be arranged to
receive the signal from each of the sensing devices and to determine the
distance of the gesture based thereon.

[0021] The sensing means may comprise one or more imaging devices. The
control means may be arranged to receive image data from the one or more
imaging devices and to determine the distance of the gesture based
thereon.

[0022] There may be provided a vehicle comprising an apparatus detailed
previously. The apparatus or vehicle substantially may be described
hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that
the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in
the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following
description and drawings, and in particular the individual features
thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all
embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way
and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant
reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new
claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed
claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim
although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention;
and

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a partial cross section through a vehicle according to
an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus
in which a distance of a predetermined gesture from a reference location
within a vehicle is determined and an operation initiated operation
responsive to the gesture, wherein a mode of the operation is based upon
the distance of the gesture from the reference location. Advantageously
this allows a user to select a mode of the operation easily and
conveniently.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a method 100 according to an embodiment of the
invention. The method 100 is a method of controlling an operation of a
vehicle. The operation is a movement operation of a component of the
vehicle, such as of a sunroof, a foldable roof, a window, an air vent of
the vehicle or any other moveable component of the vehicle. In particular
the method 100 is a method of moving the component responsive to user
control i.e. the component is a user-operated component of the vehicle,
although it will be realised that the component may also be moved
responsive to a function of the vehicle, such as a function which causes
the vehicle to become enclosed e.g. for security purposes.

[0030] The method may be performed by an apparatus 200 as illustrated in
FIG. 2. The apparatus comprises a control means 210 in the form of a
control unit 210 which comprises one or more processors for executing
computer software which may be arranged to perform a method according to
an embodiment of the invention. The software may be stored in a memory
(not illustrated) of the control unit 210. The control unit 210 is
communicably coupled to a sensing means for sensing a predetermined
gesture.

[0031] The sensing means may comprise one or more sensing devices 220,
230. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 the sensing means comprises
first and second sensing devices 220, 230. Each sensing device is
arranged to sense a presence of a user's limb, such as the user's hand.
Each sensing device 220, 230 may be a capacitive sensing device arranged
to sense the presence of the user's hand resulting in a change in
capacitance of the sensing device. The sensing devices 220, 230 may be
arranged to output a field of radiation, such as an electromagnetic
field, acoustic or illumination and to detect the presence of the user's
hand by detecting a perturbation in the field or receiving reflected
radiation, such as reflected sound waves or illumination.

[0032] Based on respective outputs of a plurality of sensing devices, such
as the first and second sensing devices 220, 230, a location of the
user's hand may be determined with respect to the sensing devices 220,
230. Based on the outputs of the sensing devices the control unit 210 is
arranged to detect when the user performs a swipe gesture with their hand
proximal to i.e. within a sensing range of the sensing devices 220, 230.
The swipe gesture is a movement of the limb of the user, such as the
hand, in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is
parallel with an axis intersecting the plurality of sensing devices 220,
230, as will be explained.

[0033] It will be realised that in other embodiments the gesture may be
recognised using image recognition. The control unit 210 may be arranged
to receive image data from one or more cameras within the vehicle
arranged to provide image data corresponding to at least an area within
the vehicle where the gesture is performed. Based on the image data the
control unit 210 is arranged to recognise one or more gestures.

[0034] The control unit 210 is arranged to output a control signal 215 to
initiate an operation. The control signal 215 is received by a
corresponding operation unit 240 of the vehicle, such as a unit for
controlling movement of the sunroof or vehicle windows. The operation
unit 240 is arranged to control one or more actuators 250 to move the
component of the vehicle, such as the sunroof or vehicle windows. For
example the actuator 250 may be a motor arranged to move the sunroof or
vehicle window responsive to signals from the operation unit 240.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an embodiment of the
invention arranged in use in a vehicle. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 3, the component of the vehicle is a sunroof of the vehicle i.e. an
at least partly transparent portion of the vehicle's roof which is
openable and closeable responsive to a command from the user. However it
will be realised that other components of the vehicle, particularly
although not exclusively windows of the vehicle, may controlled by
embodiments of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal cut-through 300 of a vehicle 310.
The vehicle 310 is a land-going vehicle although it will be realised that
embodiments of the invention may be used with water-borne or airborne
vehicles such as boats or aircraft. The vehicle 310 comprises a
windscreen 320 and a sunroof 330 which is openable and closeable
responsive to a predetermined user gesture. The sunroof 330 is moveable
331 between a closed position, as illustrated in sold lines in FIG. 3,
and an open position 335 as illustrated in dashed lines. Embodiments of
the invention also allow the sunroof to be positioned by the user at an
intermediate position between the closed and open positions 330, 335
although this is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] In the vehicle 310 there is located a control console 340 via which
an occupant of the vehicle for example, although not exclusively, the
driver may control or operate the sunroof 330. The console 340 is located
in an upper region of an interior compartment of the vehicle 310, such as
in a portion of a roof above the windscreen 320, although it will be
realised that this is merely exemplary and that the console 340 may be
located elsewhere within the vehicle. The console 340 comprises the first
and second sensing devices 220, 230 described above. The first sensing
device 220 may be arranged toward a rear of the vehicle 310 whilst the
second sensing device 230 is installed toward a front of the vehicle
aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, although it will be
realised that other arrangements may be envisaged and, furthermore, since
the controls are operable in both forward and reverse direction to,
respectively, open and close the sunroof 330, the designations first and
second do not imply any difference between the sensing devices 220, 230.
The sensing devices 220, 230 are arranged to detect a swipe gesture
parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0038] An output indicative of the proximity of the user's limb to a
respective sensing device 220, 230 is provided from each sensing device
220, 230. The outputs are provided to the control unit 210. Based on the
plurality of outputs the control unit 210 is arranged to recognise the
swipe gesture, to determine a direction of the swipe gesture, such as
forward or backward relative to the vehicle i.e. toward or away from the
windscreen 320, and whether the swipe gesture is continuing i.e. is
currently on-going or being performed. The control unit 210 is also
arranged to determine a distance of the gesture from a reference location
within the vehicle 310. The reference location may be from a reference
plane, such as coincident with a front or lower surface of the console,
although it will be realised that other reference locations may be
determined. The control unit 210 may be arranged to determine the
distance of the gesture based upon a strength or magnitude of the signal
output by each sensing device 220, 230.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 1, the method 100 comprises a step of recognising
a predetermined gesture. The predetermined gesture may be the swipe
gesture discussed above, although it will be realised that other gestures
may be recognised. In the case of the swipe gesture the gesture may be
recognised by the control unit 210 receiving signals from a plurality of
sensing devices 220, 230 indicative of the presence of the user's limb or
hand moving in a direction substantially parallel to an axis intersecting
the plurality of sensing devices 220, 230. That is, the movement is in a
direction generally toward at least one sensing device and away from at
least one other sensing device. The gesture may be performed between a
start location and a destination location within the vehicle. The gesture
may be performed in a direction corresponding to a desired direction of
movement of a component of the vehicle 310, such as the sunroof 330. Thus
the start and destination locations of the gesture may depend upon the
desired direction of movement. Step 110 may comprise determining a
distance the gesture from a reference location within the vehicle, such
as a reference plane. The reference plane may be coincident with a
surface within the vehicle, such as a surface of the vehicle interior.

[0040] In step 115 it is determined whether the distance of the gesture
from the reference location is less than a predetermined operational
threshold distance. The operational threshold distance is a maximum
distance at which the method 100 is responsive to the gesture. If the
gesture is performed at a distance greater than the operational threshold
distance then the gesture is discarded, or ignored, in step 118. That is,
the method is not responsive to gestures performed at a distance greater
than the operational threshold distance to prevent false activation such
as due to inadvertently or accidentally performed gestures. If the
gesture is performed at a distance equal to or less than the operational
threshold distance then the method moves to step 120. In other words the
method is responsive to the gesture performed at a distance of equal to
or less than the operation threshold distance.

[0041] In step 120 it is determined whether the distance of the gesture
from the reference location is greater than a predetermined mode
threshold distance. For example, the mode threshold distance may be 100
mm from the reference plane, although it will be realised that this
distance is an example and that other distances may be selected. In step
120 a mode of operation is determined based upon the distance of the
gesture from the reference location. Thus, in step 120 it is determined
whether the gesture is performed closer than the mode threshold distance
to the reference location, or greater than the mode threshold distance
from the reference location. In embodiments where the gesture is a swipe,
step 120 comprises determining whether the swipe is performed along a
path which is greater than the predetermined mode threshold distance from
the reference location. It will be noted that the mode threshold distance
is less than the operational threshold distance.

[0042] If the gesture is performed less than the mode threshold distance
from the reference location i.e. closer to the reference location, then
the method moves to step 130. In step 130 and the following steps the
mode of operation is a mode wherein continuation of the operation is
dependent upon continuation of the gesture. That is, if the gesture is
stopped the associated operation is stopped. Therefore the operation is
manually controlled by the user. If the gesture is performed more than
the mode threshold distance, or more than or equal to the mode threshold
distance, the method moves to step 160. In step 160 an operation is
performed wherein the operation is completed in step 160 regardless of
whether the gesture is completed, the limb leaves the sensing range of
the sensing devices 220, 230 mid-gesture, or exceeds the operational
threshold distance mid-gesture.

[0043] Whilst in the described embodiment the mode wherein continuation of
the operation is dependent upon continuation of the gesture is performed
when the gesture is closer to the reference location than the mode
threshold distance, it will also be realised that said mode may be
performed when the gesture is greater than the mode threshold distance
i.e. the modes may be reversed with respect to the mode threshold
distance. In the case where the operation is manually controlled, when
the gesture is performed at a distance greater than the mode threshold
distance, the operation may be stopped when the user's limb leaves the
sensing range of the sensing devices 220, 230 or exceeds the operational
threshold distance.

[0044] In step 130 the operation comprising movement of one or more
components of the vehicle is initiated. For example the operation may
comprise movement 331 of the sunroof 330 of the vehicle, but may comprise
in other embodiments movement of one or more windows of the vehicle 310,
movement of a seat (or component thereof such as a backrest) of the
vehicle, movement of an air vent, etc. For example the movement 331 of
the sunroof 330 may be initiated in a direction to open the sunroof, such
as in a direction generally toward a rear of the vehicle, corresponding
to a direction of the swipe gesture.

[0045] In step 140 it is determined whether the gesture has stopped, or is
continuing. If the gesture is continuing i.e. has not stopped, then the
method loops back to step 140 such that the movement of the component
continues in dependence on the gesture. That is the movement is continued
for as long as the gesture. For example movement 331 of the sunroof
continues whilst the gesture is in progress. If, however, the gesture has
stopped, then the method moves to step 150. Therefore it can be
appreciated that the operation is proportional to a characteristic of the
gesture. The characteristic may be a length of the gesture, such as where
the gesture is a swipe gesture.

[0046] In step 150 the operation is stopped. In particular, in embodiments
of the invention the movement of the component of the vehicle 310 is
stopped responsive to the stopping of the gesture. For example, if the
swipe gesture is stopped by the user of the vehicle, then the
corresponding movement of the component, such as the sunroof, is also
stopped. This allows the user to manually control or to select the
stopping position.

[0047] In step 160 an operation is commenced in a mode where the operation
is completed. The operation is completed irrespective of whether the
gesture initiating the operation is continued or completed. That is, in
step 160 the operation is performed to completion regardless of whether
the initiating gesture is also completed.

[0048] In one embodiment where the gesture is the swipe gesture initiating
movement 331 of the sunroof 330, the sunroof is moved to a completed
position corresponding to the direction of the swipe gesture. For
example, the sunroof 330 may be moved to a completely open position or a
completely closed position even if the corresponding gesture is not
completed. In this way the user is able to perform the gesture to
initiate the operation but does not have to continue the gesture to
completion thereby allowing a quick instruction to perform an operation,
such as moving the component of the vehicle.

[0049] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention
can be realised in the form of hardware, software or a combination of
hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in the form of
volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device
like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of
memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated
circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for
example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic tape. It will be
appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of
machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program or
programs that, when executed, implement embodiments of the present
invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for
implementing a system or method as claimed in any preceding claim and a
machine readable storage storing such a program. Still further,
embodiments of the present invention may be conveyed electronically via
any medium such as a communication signal carried over a wired or
wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same.

[0050] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of
any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,
except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are
mutually exclusive.

[0051] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose,
unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated
otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series
of equivalent or similar features.

[0052] The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing
embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel
combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including
any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or
any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so
disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the
foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the
scope of the claims.

[0053] Further aspects of the invention are set out in the following
numbered paragraphs: [0054] 1. A method for use in a vehicle, comprising
determining a distance of a predetermined gesture from a reference
location within a vehicle; and initiating an operation responsive to the
gesture, wherein a mode of the operation is determined based upon the
distance of the gesture from the reference location. [0055] 2. The method
of paragraph 1, wherein the operation is initiated in a first mode
responsive to the distance of the gesture being less than a predetermined
distance and in a second mode responsive to the gesture being greater
than the predetermined distance. [0056] 3. The method of paragraph 2,
wherein, in the first mode, the operation is proportional to a
characteristic of the gesture. [0057] 4. The method of paragraph 3,
wherein the characteristic is a length of the gesture. [0058] 5. The
method of paragraph 2, wherein the first mode is a user-controlled mode
of operation. [0059] 6. The method of paragraph 2, wherein, in the first
mode, the operation is caused to stop responsive to a stopping of the
gesture. [0060] 7. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the operation is
responsive to a direction of the gesture. [0061] 8. The method of
paragraph 7, wherein in the second mode, the operation is performed to a
maximum extent corresponding to the direction of the gesture. [0062] 9.
The method of paragraph 2, wherein the second mode is an automatic mode
of operation. [0063] 10. The method of paragraph 2, wherein, in the
second mode, the operation continues regardless of a stopping of the
gesture. [0064] 11. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the operation is
movement of a component of the vehicle. [0065] 12. The method of
paragraph 1, wherein the component is one of a sunroof, a foldable roof,
a window, a seat, a sunblind, privacy blinds or an air vent of the
vehicle. [0066] 13. The method of paragraph 1, wherein the reference
location is a reference plane within the vehicle. [0067] 14. The method
of paragraph 13, wherein the reference location corresponds to a surface
within the vehicle. [0068] 15. The method of paragraph 13 when dependent
on paragraph 11, wherein the reference location is proximal to the
component of the vehicle. [0069] 16. The method of paragraph 1,
comprising determining whether the gesture is performed at a distance
less than or equal to an operational threshold distance from the
reference location, and discarding the gesture if performed at a distance
greater than the operational threshold distance. [0070] 17. An apparatus
for controlling an operation, comprising sensing device for determining a
distance of a predetermined gesture from a reference location within a
vehicle; and a control device for initiating an operation responsive to
the gesture, wherein a mode of the operation is determined based upon the
distance of the gesture from the reference location. [0071] 18. The
apparatus of paragraph 17, wherein the control device is arranged to
initiate the operation in a first mode responsive to the distance of the
gesture being less than a predetermined distance and in a second mode
responsive to the gesture being greater than the predetermined distance.
[0072] 19. The apparatus of paragraph 18, wherein, in the first mode, the
operation is performed proportional to a characteristic of the gesture.
[0073] 20. The apparatus of paragraph 19, wherein the characteristic is a
length of the gesture. [0074] 21. The apparatus of paragraph 17, wherein
the first mode is a user-controlled mode of operation. [0075] 22. The
apparatus of paragraph 17, wherein, in the first mode, the control device
is arranged to stop the operation responsive to a stopping of the
gesture. [0076] 23. The apparatus of paragraphs 17, wherein the control
device is arranged to initiate the operation responsive to a direction of
the gesture. [0077] 24. The apparatus of paragraph 23, wherein in the
second mode, the control device is arranged to initiate the operation to
be performed to a maximum extent corresponding to the direction of the
gesture. [0078] 25. The apparatus of paragraphs 18, wherein the second
mode is an automatic mode of operation. [0079] 26. The apparatus of
paragraph 18, wherein, in the second mode, the control device is arranged
to continue the operation regardless of a stopping of the gesture. [0080]
27. The apparatus of paragraph 17, wherein the operation is movement of a
component of the vehicle. [0081] 28. The apparatus of paragraph 27,
wherein the component is one of a sunroof, a foldable roof, a window, a
seat, a sunblind, privacy blinds or an air vent of the vehicle. [0082]
29. The apparatus of paragraph 17, wherein the reference location is a
reference plane within the vehicle. [0083] 30. The apparatus of paragraph
29, wherein the reference location corresponds to a surface within the
vehicle. [0084] 31. The apparatus of paragraph 29 when dependent on
paragraph 27, wherein the reference location is proximal to the component
of the vehicle. [0085] 32. The apparatus of paragraph 17, wherein the
sensing device comprises a plurality of sensing devices each arranged to
output a signal indicative of a proximity of a limb of a person. [0086]
33. The apparatus of paragraph 32, wherein the control device is arranged
to receive the signal from each of the sensing devices and to determine
the distance of the gesture based thereon. [0087] 34. The apparatus of
paragraph 17, wherein the sensing device comprises one or more imaging
devices. [0088] 35. The apparatus of paragraph 34 wherein the control
device is arranged to receive image data from the one or more imaging
devices and to determine the distance of the gesture based thereon.
[0089] 36. A vehicle comprising an apparatus according to paragraph 17.